Tool-holding box



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TOOL"HOLDING BOX.

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Patented May 30, 1893.

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Patented May 30,1893.

INITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. BARTLETT, OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOOL-HOLDING BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,455, dated May 30, 1893. Application filed November 8, 1892. Serial No. 451.290- (No model.)

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. BARTLETT, of Bethlehem,in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tool- Holding Boxes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in boxes or receptacles for anger bits or similar tools, of that kind having a separate compartment or cell for each of the several tools to be placed therein, and more especially to that class of such boxes or receptacles consisting of a wooden block in which the cells or compartments for the tools are formed, which block is constructed of two or more separate slabs or layers having grooves upon their adjacent faces which form the cells or compartments of the receptacle.

The object of the invention is to produce an improved construction in boxes of the class referred to, and to this end it consists in the matters hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box or receptacle constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line v2-2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig.4 is a perspective view of a modification of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Figs.

' 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views of further modifications. As shown in said drawings, A designates a box or receptacle consisting of a block composed of separate slabs or layers 12 0 cl, pro vided on their faces with grooves A A A, said layers being secured together by glue or otherwise, with the grooves therein opposite each other to form a series of cells or compartments A A A a separate cell being prov vided for each'of the tools to be contained in the box. Any number of slabs or layers may .be combined in a single box, but ordinarily two or three layers will be employed and the latter number oftener than the former. In any case, however, one or more of the slabs or layers are cut away to expose the grooves in the layers beneath them and thereby the 7 box. An improved method of providing such covers is that embodied in the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to 6, in which one (or both) of the outer layers is glued to the adjacent layer for a portion only of its length, the rest of the layer being severed from the secured portion and hinged to the latter or to the adjacent layer to form a cover the throwing back of which exposes the tools for a portion of their length, the remainder of each tool being inclosed in its cell or compartment and thus securely held against displacement. The layer adjacent to the cover at the same time extends the full length of the tools and prevents their ends from damaging or being damaged by any object which may be brought in contact therewith.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the box consists of two external layers b and d, and an intermediate layer 0, the external layers 1) and d being grooved on their inner faces only, while the intermediate layer is grooved on both sides. The top or outer layer is in this instance made in two parts one of which is permanently attached to the intermediate layer and the other of which is hinged to the attached part by hinges b b and forms a cover or lid 12' for the box. The intermediate layer a in this instance is cut away or recessed at its end, as shown at c, to expose the end portion of the adjacent lower or bottom layer d. In this construction the opening of the cover b obviously exposes the ends of both sets of tools held in the upper and lower sets of cells. Obviously, if there were more layers each might be recessed at its exposed end to expose the next succeeding layer. In practice theseboxeswill be usually employed to contain a set of auger bits or similar tools of graded sizes, the compartments being correspondingly graded in size and arranged to receive the'smaller and shorter tools in the upper series, the longer and larger tools being provided for in the lower series in which the inclosed portion of the sockets is of greater length.

The ends of the box are closed by transverse strips e e, the former at the end opp'osite to that at which the cover is provided being permanently secured to the box and the latter 6' having a hinged connection with the box, provided, in this construction, by securing it to the free end of the cover I) which in this instance is hinged (at the line of severance) to the permanently secured portion of the outer slab b.

Sheet metal braces b may be tacked or otherwise secured to the ends of thestrip e and the sides of the cover I), to prevent the former from being broken off. Such braces will also, when the cover is closed, embrace the ends of the layer 0 and additionally secure the cover 1) against lateral displacement.

While the box made as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is intended more particularly to rest on its fiat side when in use, either for displaying the tools at a merchants place of business, or when in use for holding a set of tools by a mechanic, yet thebox may be conveniently placed on its end with its open end uppermost, the tools heldin the box retaining their place and the cover. being easily opened and closed in either position of the box.

In Fig. 4 is shown a construction also composed of three layers affording two series of compartments'or cells, but in this case each series is provided with itsowncover formed by severing both outside layers 17 and d to form covers I) and d in the manner hereinbefore described; theintermediate layercin this case extending the full length of the box and completely separating the two series of compartments. In this construction the end piece 6 is permanently secured to the box as in the construct-ion shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but the end piece at the-cover end is composed of three strips 6 e 6 one secured to the inter mediate layer 0 and one to each of the covers b d, the width of said strips 6 e 6 being; equal, in this instance, to the thickness of the respective layers Z) c and d. This form of box may be used equally well when resting 011 its side, or when in an upright position and resting on its closed end. I

In the construction shown in Fig. 5 only two layers 1) and c are employed, affording but a single series of compartments, the cover I) in this case being hinged to the layer a beneath it instead of to the permanently secured portion of the layer b, as in the preceding figures.

Fig.6 shows amodification of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, differing from that construction in having the end'piece e at the cover end of the box hinged directly to the body of the box instead of having its wise.

hinged connection intermediately through the cover I).

Fig. 7 shows still another modification in which the entire upper section b is hinged to the intermediate layer 0 to form a cover for the box, exposing, when lifted, the entire length of the grooves in the adjacent face of said layerc. The latter is, as in the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, recessed at one end to expose the grooves in the lower layer (1 beneath it. The end e in this case is hinged to the body of' the box in the same manner as in Fig. 6,thus permitting the tools to be removed from the lower compartments or cells.

A tool box madeof'grooved slabs of which one is shorter than the other, ashereinbefore described, has the important advantages not only of being verystrong and durable, and neat and pleasing in appearance, but in being very easily and cheaply constructed. In making the form of boxes shown-in Figs. 1 to 6 layers or slabs will be formed by cutting short pieces of the properlength from a long strip or board in which parallel longitudinal grooves have been formed by the use of a-machine hav-' ing revolving cutters, so that said slabs or layers may be made at slight expense. The slabs forming the box are then secured together by glue, the end pieces applied and the entire outersurface of the box finished to give ittrue form by a sand-papering machine or other- Commonly the outer layer which is severed to form the cover, will'be securedto the adjacent layer when in one piece, the glued joint embracing only that part which is to be permanently secured in place, and after the exterior of the box has been finished, the part which is to form the cover is severed by sawing, andthe hinges afterward applied to connect the parts. In the form of box shown in Fig. 1, the endpieces e e e willpreferably be secured in place before the outer layers aresevered to form the covers.

I claim as my invention- 1. Asa novel article, a tool-holding box or receptacle comprising a single block which consists of a plurality of slabs or layers provided with grooves upon their adjacent faces and permanently secured together with the grooves therein oppositeeach other to form a series of compartments or cells, one of the layers forming said block being cut away to expose the grooves in the layer beneath it whereby the said compartments or cells are closed-or covered for a part of the length of the block and are open to expose the endsof the tools in another part of the length of the block, substantially as described.

2. As a novel article, a tool-holding box or receptacle comprising a single block which consists of a plurality of slabs or layers provided with grooves in their adjacent faces and permanently secured together with the grooves therein opposite each other to form a series of compartments or cells, one of the IIO outer layers being cut away to expose the grooves in the layer beneath it, a cover for the box consisting of a layer grooved like one of the external layers and hinged to the body of the box to cover the exposed layer of the block, and end pieces secured to the box and closing the groovesat the ends of the same, substantially as described.

3. As a novel article, a tool-holding box or receptacle comprising a single block which consists of two external and intermediate slabs or layers provided with grooves upon their adjacent faces and permanently secured together with the grooves therein opposite each other to form a series of compartments or cells, the intermediate layer being cut away atone end or made shorter than the adjacent layer below it, whereby the cells formed between said'intermediate layer and the one below itare covered or closed for a part of the length of the box and the tools resting in both sets of cells will be exposed to view when the box is open, anda cover for said box, substantially as described.

4. As a novel article, a tool-holding box or receptacle comprising a block consisting of a plurality of slabs or layers provided with grooves upon their adjacent faces and per manently secured together with their grooves opposite each other to form a series of compartments or cells, one of the outer layers' being cut away to expose the grooves in the layer beneath it, and the end portion of the intermediate or inner layer being also cut away to expose the next layer beneath it, a

cover consisting of a layer grooved like the outer layer and hinged to the box, and end pieces for closing the ends of the grooves,

the end piece at that end of the box adjacent to the cover having hinged connection with the box to afford access to the inner or lowermost row of cells, substantially as described.

5. As a novel article, a tool-holding box or receptacle comprising a single blockwhichconsists of a plurality of slabs or layers provided with grooves on their. adjacent faces and permanently secured together with their grooves opposite each other to form a series of compartments or cells, a part of one of the outer layers being cut away to expose the grooves in the layer beneath it, a cover consisting of a slab or layer grooved to correspond with the outer layer and hinged to the box so as to cover the exposed part ofthe inner layer, and end pieces for closing the ends of the grooves, that end piece which is adjacent to the hinged cover being attached to and movable with the same, substantially as described.

6. As a novel article, a tool-holding box orv receptacle comprising a single block which consists of a plurality of slabs orlayers provided with grooves in their adjacent. faces and permanently secured together with their grooves opposite each other to form a series of compartments or cells, one of the outer layers being cut awayto expose the grooves in the inner layer beneath it, a cover; for the box consisting of a slab or layer grooved to correspond with the cut away outer layer and hinged to the box so as to cover the exposed inner layer, and end pieces for closing the ends of the grooves, that end piece which is adjacent to the hinged cover being attached to and movable with the same, and braces attached to the said cover and the endpieee and arranged to overlap the sides of the box when the cover is closed, substantially as described.

In testimony that I'claim the foregoing as my invention I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. BARTLETT. WVitnesses:

C. CLARENCE Poonn, HENRY W. CARTER. 

